A Very Strong El Niño May Be Building in the Pacific
Scientists say a very strong El Niño is developing, driven by record heat in the Pacific Ocean. The 2026-27 event is projected to be among the strongest since modern records began. Only three very strong events have been recorded since then, in 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16.
Context
Context: El Niño is a natural warming of the central and eastern Pacific that shifts rain and heat patterns worldwide. It often weakens the Indian monsoon, so farmers and water planners watch it closely.
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